California: Hollywood Park is gone forever. Los Alamitos has run it's first all thoroughbred meet and Del Mar has added a fall meet to it's schedule. In Northern California, Golden Gates is still clinging to life.
Florida: Gulfstream Park is once again re-shaping the racing landscape in Florida, this time buying out Calder Race Course. For now the track is operating as Gulfstream Park West. Harness racing is safe for a while as a deal with Pompano Park and horseman was approved.
Illinois: Harness racing in Illinois seems once again to be in jeopardy, it's anyone's guess if they will return from their winter break in February. Out to the west the simulcast operation at Quad City Downs is closing the doors.
Massachusetts: The final nail was driven into the thoroughbred coffin in New England when Suffolk Downs shut down after being declined a casino license. Plainridge Racecourse survived a referendum to repeal casino gambling in the state and will open it's slot parlor in 2015. All may not be totally lost for thoroughbred racing in the State. The owner of the Brockton Fairgrounds, and a group trying to lease Suffolk Downs have applied for racing dates in 2015, pending approval by the State Racing Commission in early 2015.
Michigan: After a thirty year hiatus thoroughbred made a successful return to Hazel Park. Mt. Pleasant Meadows went out of business and not much harness racing was run in the state. Jackson Raceway was not granted racing dates in 2015. Another blow to harness racing came, when over a dispute with horsemen Sports Creek was shut down and put up for sale.
New Hampshire: Anything that was to happen in Hinsdale, never did, the OTB was built but never opened, kiss that one goodby. This one is probably a longshot. Rockingham Park is on life support as a bingo parlor waiting for a miracle to occur.
New Jersey: The Meadowlands literally changed direction, as a new friendlier grandstand was erected across the track from the original structure, changing the direction the horses cross the wire. Not much of a shock, but Atlantic City has finally given up the charade and will close it's doors.
Ohio: It took a while but Ohio is now a major player in the casino wars. Casinos in major cities have forced Raceway Park, Lebanon Raceway an Beulah Park heading for the suburbs, while River Downs, Thistledown, Scioto Downs and Northfield Park were converted to casinos on their original sites.
Virginia: Colonial Downs the only pari-mutual track in the state decided to close it's doors after a dispute with the racing commision.
West Virginia: This could signal another crisis for horse racing. Once mighty Mountaineer Gaming seems to be struggling now that it has competition in the area. Mountaineer tried to close early for the year, but the West Virginia Racing Commission denied it's request. In response the track cut one race daily and lowered purse money. Can you say over saturation?
Wyoming: After a five year hiatus live racing returns to Wyoming Downs, after lawmakers approved instant wagering in the state.